Friday, 1 June 2012

God Save the Queen - its Jubilee Weekend

It has been a month and quite some month – there have been
some fundamental changes in my life in the last month and with all change you
have re-awakenings, realizations and sometimes you just see things a little
more clearly.

I went on holiday for the first time in 9 years – no it
wasn’t 5 star, it wasn’t glam - it was me, my man, my dog – a very small
caravan, a tap and a beautiful piece of land in the hills in Liguria in
Italy.Not me….No…. didn’t think
so myself either, but the caravan is stylish, the nearby town is chic and we
are in easy reach of Monaco, Cannes and Nice – this was my reasoning.I hated Monaco, didn’t get to Cannes or
Nice and spent my whole time, cooking, cleaning, breathing and I could not have
loved it more – came back fitter, re-awakened my love of yoga – long lost with
a bad back injury – and my love of good food and wine.I have a million allergies and food had
become a chore to be thrown down my throat to fuel the next mad rush.I didn’t miss the internet or the telly
– in fact the lack of these where what made the holiday totally perfect.

I came home and then there was another fundamental change,
we have bought the woodland next to our house – another piece of heaven – baby
foxes, birds, air, streams, falls, lakes, deer – you get the picture and all I
want to do is be in my woods doing yoga and re-balancing my life – it would
seem I am embracing my inner Barbara!

However saying all that I am still Margot and I still love
designing, styling and beautiful things but they are no longer the obsession
they once were – I have had a massive clearout – I just don’t want a million
things that in many ways make my life harder – and believe you me there is
nothing like a big ebay to make you think – what a bloody waste of money – I
won’t be going mad in the sales – I will be designing and I will compliment
those pieces with the beautiful accessories I already have and new ones I will
cherish and spend time enjoying buying with no personal pressure to acquire.

Of course all of this has meant I know longer have the time
or desire to be on the computer constantly but I miss you and I have always
enjoyed the fashion ventures we have shared – so will still be posting and
visiting – but not as much and as often but there is no less appreciation of
the work we all do for the love of fashion.

Have a very good bank holiday weekend – and in the spirit of
patriotic fervour – the red blue and white has got to me – long live Queenie!
Xx

My latest fashion and frank offering - silk - top and maxi and what a print - easy, peasy

Gorgeous new Lanvin Sunnies, old bottega bag, love this outfit it goes with every bag and pair of shoes i have virtually - highlight the nude base or pick a colour - sooo many colours - this is what i love with a good print - the ease of accessorising

We made the back really full and it just moves beautifully

And because it is fashion and frank and he has come home with a rather latin temperament and refused to participate in todays shoot - excuse me - Franco!

Not bad for an iphone - Arma di Taggia - on the coast and my lovely boy

****

And because i said i had a stylish caravan and i am sure you do not believe me ....

I know not very visible but meet the TAB - holds the landspeed record for a caravan - oh yes - Mr told me that - Mr sourced it - the wine is going to my head - the weekend has started and this uber long post must make up for my lack of previous??? have a very good one xxx

Skirt and Top - my own design, Shoes Valentino Rockstud Gladiator, Sunnies Lanvin, Bag Bottega Venetta, Jewellery - a lot of Marco Bicego and all long loved and owned

Monaco is such a bloody dump! It sounds great but it's awful.I'm headed out to the south of France next week for my birthday, I always just miss you but hope to be in London in the 6 weeks so I will let you know.Oh your hubs has done very well snapping up that land, I think your trip sounds fab!

wow that is really a long time without any holiday so you really deserved a break from everything and the picture of you and frank on the coast is my new favourite!!!!it´s a loss for us that you won´t blog as often than before but of course you do the right listen to your heart. and boy is your maxidress gorgous!love and kiss,maryhttp://maryloucinnamon.blogspot.com

I didn't realize how clever you are with a needle and thread...that's a great outfit!Getting back to nature has given you a new focus and how lovely that you own your own woods now, well done!Maybe you can show us a fox or two sometime soon?

hostess i wish i was that talented with a needle and thread - my talent lies in getting the fabric, drawing the design and finding an utterly wonderful tailor! i would love to capture the cubs they are so special - but they scarper the minute i spot them - i blame Frank!! xx

What a beautiful dress, the material and design is just perfect, each complimenting the other. Love it! Particularly love the sandals!! Your hair too is looking amazing. And you had it cut!!! The photo on the rocks with Frank at Arma di Taggia is so lovely. We are a long way away from the Jubilee celebrations but glued to BBC World & Sky News for the next few days. See you in a few weeks time. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! Lorra luv from a damp Cape Town, Mum xx

Dear Claire, it's wonderful to hear you had such a great holiday. Your house and the surroundings sound heavenly. No wonder you want to spend less time in front of the computer. I love the dress, another beautiful design. :)Ada

Dear Claire, so happy to have you back, to hear about the latest in your life and the exciting changes! I think holidays are great opportunities to clear up our minds and think about what we really want. And it sounds that you made some excellent choices! On a fashion note, this outfit is absolutely perfect for the summer and it's so nice to see the first 'printed' design by F&F. The overall ensemble is absolutely perfect and would make Sienna Miller jelaous...Take care!

So lovely to see and hear what you have been up to. Wonderful skirt and top. I love your style. So you have had a lovely life spring clean. It is great when it happens isnt it. I love yoga too and really miss it when dont get a regular fix. Xxxx

Dvora i used to do yoga every day and loved it sooo much but then i fell with frank when he was a baby and damaged a disc in my spine and every time i went back it just opened again - it has obviously been long enough to heal now and i just feel like a new woman - there is nothing like yoga to focus you and relax - it should be on the school curriculum! thanks so much for your lovely comment xx

I can't believe that you DON'T exercise, your figure is AMAZING. Yoga is a tough one to get back into if you have been a serious yogi and then stopped for a while. It is amazing how quickly it comes back though, sounds like your holiday was the kick start that you needed.The print of the dress is lovely, I scrolled down some of your other outfits by established designers and yours is much, much more wearable. What is the website for the range?

Oh i work pretty hard physically which i guess counts and i cannot tell you how much i love my yoga again - i was an hour a day 6 days a week girl and it kind of sticks - i am now half an hour 5 days a week again and in some ways that is more yogic?? thank you so much for your lovely comment - i design for myself and have a wonderful tailor, Jackie Palmer who i work with - so i dont actually put the designs into production but it is lovely to hear that there would be a market - so much appreciated xx

The fabric and cut of your new FandF design is very beautiful! I could do with a skirt and top like that :) Good to hear that you had a relaxing and mind opening holiday. And yes, isn't Monaco hideous ;)

And how is the queen of our blog media doing? Hope all is well. Loving the maxi and top, really a beautiful completion...and is that a Bottega Venetta you're carrying?! I just saw one, not quite as immense as yours of course, in consignment shop and was so tempted! Loving the "easy peasy" look xx from Soleil

I can't agree more with your sentiments. It's so easy to get caught up in all the distractions. I culled my wardrobe down massively just before I moved to the UK. I realized that I don't need a lot, just enough of the good pieces to look presentable. Not having a TV helps too!

Glad to hear that you're well and enjoyed the holiday. That dress is absolutely gorgeous Claire ... stunning colours. Sometimes is so nice to just miss the internet, etc. I did that the past week. Happy summer dear. xxoo

Where does one begin;-)I've been seriously busy so forgive the lack of commnents, my lovely.How divine you look in the above images. The dress is so pretty, but you are prettier. Your personality shines thru in pictures and words. XX

Oh Tabs so good to hear from you - life has been unbelievable i have not had five - work and house falling apart and just mad mad busy but i miss you too and i promise i will get back to posting something soon though i almost feel like a fraud it has been so long - failed blogger guilt!! And i promise if ever i get to the frozen northern tundra - you are top of my list!! xxx

I think your idea is wonderful and to have nabbed that land next to yours is a real triumph.. Stay, home and take your passion for fashion and put it into your land and nature, for truly that is what will bring you balance and a real grounding, I too, did what you are now undertaking to do, and my life has been so much more rich and authentic because of it.....

Thank you for your lovely comment. Sorry to see from above reply things unsteady for you at the moment. I hope this changes soon. There is a lot of change for me at the moment too. Please don't feel failed blogger guilt - there is nothing to feel guilty for. When you are ready just go for it again. Kisses Xxxx

Just checking back on how you are - this transports me back to a much more simple life, love the thought of your days out there camping... but alas I have too much of the Margot and not enough of the Barbara. Whenever we are away I do love to visit 'The shops"

Dear Claire, how are you? I hope everything is well! From time to time I visit your blog hoping for a new post...I was also looking for your email as it may be easier to get in touch but I realised that it is not available on the website...could you please it to me? Take care, Caterina

The wealth of the human is measured by the quantity and quality of friends that you have.Thanks for being part of my fortune. Happy New Year!!!*´¨`*•.¸♥♥¸.•*´¨`*•. ¸♥¨`*•.¸♥♥¸.•*´¨`*• .¸♥ ¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸. *...* ::::::::╔════*☆.¸.☆*'════╗ ::::::::*...* *¨`*•♫..•:║FELIZ AÑO NUEVO║ ::*¨`*•♫.• *...* ::::::::╚════*☆.¸.☆*'════╝ ::::::::*...* ¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸. ♥♥¸.•*´¨`*•. ¸♥¨`*•.¸♥♥¸.•*´¨`*• .¸♥.•*´¨`*•

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About Me

I have two great loves in life (apart from the man!) and they are Fashion and Frank.
I must have been 6 years old when we lived next door to the lady with the dressing up box in the loft. In that box was a flamenco dress. Suddenly I was not the little girl next door but a glamorous lady, having adventures, grown up and gorgeous! I don't think I ever left that box - the clothes are just [somewhat] less flamboyant!
Frank is my large, canine friend - solid, dependable and just Frank!
He makes me laugh, cry and sometimes quite cross but he is such a constant joy and I think rather handsome! So the perfect companion to my dressing up box!
I started this blog to express these two joys and I hope you will enjoy the journey with me x